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ONA participates in Asia-Pacific News Agencies meeting in Russia

ONA participates in Asia-Pacific News Agencies meeting in Russia

Times of Oman11 hours ago

St. Petersburg: Oman News Agency (ONA) took part in the General Assembly meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), held on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia, under the theme 'News Agencies and the Challenges of the Modern World."
The event, attended by over 40 government and private news agencies, coincided with the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a two-day event hosted under the patronage of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation.
In his opening address, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised the critical role of news agencies in delivering credible journalism and countering misinformation, particularly amid today's rapidly evolving global developments.
Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, highlighted the importance of protecting journalists in conflict zones, especially in armed conflicts, given their vital role in reporting facts and exposing the humanitarian suffering of war victims.
The OANA General Assembly addressed key topics, including the risks of disinformation and its impact on news credibility—particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence technologies—as well as the experiences of international agencies transitioning from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms in an era of accelerating media innovation.
The meeting also included votes on the Executive Council composition for 2025–2028, the formation of the Technical and Ethical Committee for the same term, and the OANA Presidential Board for 2028–2031. Additionally, the assembly announced election results for the new OANA President and Secretary-General, presented awards, and approved reports from the Executive and Technical Councils, along with the appointment of vice presidents.

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ST PETERSBURG: Oman News Agency (ONA) took part in the General Assembly meeting of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA), held on Thursday in St Petersburg, Russia, under the theme 'News Agencies and the Challenges of the Modern World." The event, attended by over 40 government and private news agencies, coincided with the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a two-day event hosted under the auspices of President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation. In his opening address, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised the critical role of news agencies in delivering credible journalism and countering misinformation, particularly amid today's rapidly evolving global developments. Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, highlighted the importance of protecting journalists in conflict zones, especially in armed conflicts, given their vital role in reporting facts and exposing the humanitarian suffering of war victims. The OANA General Assembly addressed key topics, including the risks of disinformation and its impact on news credibility — particularly with the rise of artificial intelligence technologies — as well as the experiences of international agencies transitioning from traditional broadcasting to digital platforms in an era of accelerating media innovation. The meeting also included votes on the Executive Council composition for 2025–2028, the formation of the Technical and Ethical Committee for the same term, and the OANA Presidential Board for 2028–2031. Additionally, the assembly announced election results for the new OANA President and Secretary-General, presented awards, and approved reports from the Executive and Technical Councils, along with the appointment of vice-presidents. - ONA

Oman continues diplomatic efforts to contain escalation of Israel-Iran conflict
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time9 hours ago

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Oman continues diplomatic efforts to contain escalation of Israel-Iran conflict

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman continues its diligent diplomatic efforts to contain the unprecedented escalation resulting from Israel's military aggression against Iran, which has ignited the current regional tension. Oman has reaffirmed its steadfast position rejecting military escalation and violations of state sovereignty, emphasizing that the only way to address the crisis lies in a serious return to the diplomatic path, aiming to reach a just agreement and save the region from an abyss with unknown consequences that could impact the entire world. In this context, His Excellency Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, held phone calls on Wednesday with his Russian and Chinese counterparts as part of a series of calls with various brotherly and friendly countries. The discussions focused on the urgent need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stressing that Israel is the aggressor, violatin UN Carter and obstructing peace efforts, including the recent American-Iranian negotiations aimed at preventing nuclear proliferation. The ministers agreed that a military solution is ineffective and that achieving an early ceasefire would pave the way for a return to the negotiating table to address the nuclear issue in a manner that ensures stability and peace for all. During the call, the Minister and His Excellency Sergey Lavrov agreed that this unprecedented escalation violates United Nations Charter, renewing their call for an immediate halt to these attacks and their expansion, as well as refraining from targeting nuclear facilities to prevent the risks of nuclear radiation. The Russian Minister also expressed his country's deep appreciation for Oman's mediation efforts, affirming the Russian Federation's support for these negotiations, diplomatic channels, political solutions, and their utmost importance in establishing international peace and security. On the other hand, His Excellency Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister, emphasized that the nuclear issue cannot be resolved outside the scope of diplomatic efforts and that Israel's attacks on Iranian territory constitute a clear and blatant violation of UN Charter and the principles of international law. He also affirmed his agreement with Oman's position and highly valued the Sultanate's tireless efforts to promote peace and facilitate negotiation pathways.

Putin says Russia ready to mediate dialogue between Iran, Israel
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St Petersburg: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he is in touch with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the Israel-Iran conflict. He said Russia is prepared to support Tehran's peaceful nuclear development while addressing Tel Aviv's security concerns and that a deal to end fighting between Israel and Iran is possible. Also, Putin has confirmed Russia's readiness to mediate a dialogue between Iran and Israel in a phone call with President of the United Arab Emirates Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Kremlin said as per state media TASS. "Vladimir Putin confirmed Russia's readiness to provide mediation assistance in promoting dialogue between the parties to the conflict, informing about contacts with a number of foreign leaders in this regard," the Kremlin statement read. Meanwhile, during a meeting with the heads of leading global news agencies in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, Putin said that Russia has engaged in detailed discussions on this issue with both Israeli and US officials, and has communicated proposals to its Iranian counterparts. "In general, it is possible to meet Iran's interests in peaceful nuclear energy and at the same time address Israel's concerns about its national security," he said on the sidelines of the SPIEF 2025 an economic conference in St. Petersburg, Putin also recalled Russia's involvement in Iran's civilian nuclear program, including the completion of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Iran, which was originally designed by German firms and later completed by Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom. "We are in constant contact with our Iranian partners. Our specialists are working in Bushehr, and we are not leaving. Isn't that support? Iran has not asked us for any other support, and I repeat, we have given our assessments." Putin said as reported by TASS. "I've already said that: our specialists are working in Bushehr. Their total number may reach 600 [people]. We are not leaving," Putin said at a meeting with heads of the world's leading news agencies, organized by TASS. The Russian state media report further cited Putin as saying, "It seems to me that it would be right for everyone to look for ways to stop the hostilities and find ways for all parties to this conflict to reach an agreement with each other in order to ensure both the interests of Iran, on the one hand, in its nuclear activity, including peaceful nuclear activity, of course. I mean both peaceful nuclear energy and peaceful nuclear energy in other areas. And to ensure the interests of Israel from the point of view of the unconditional security of the Jewish state." Putin further pointed out that Israel's strikes against Iran had led to a consolidation of Iranian society around the country's leadership. Today, society in Iran, "despite all the complexity of the ongoing domestic political processes," is uniting around the country's leadership: "This is almost always the case everywhere, and Iran is no exception," the Russian President Putin said. During his press conference on Wednesday, when asked what Moscow would do in the event of a targeted assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Putin refused to even entertain the premise, calling it a "scenario I won't even discuss." Russian media outlet RT reported. In an address to the nation, Khamenei rejected President Trump's call for surrender in the conflict with Israel, and warned any US strikes on Iran will have "irreparable consequences." "Intelligent people who know Iran, the nation and the history of Iran, will never speak to this nation in the language of threats, because the Iranian nation cannot be surrendered," Ayatollah Khamenei said in a televised address as reported by New York Times."The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage," the Iranian leader said. On Wednesday, US President Trump said that he held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart on June 17, during which the sides discussed the Ukrainian and Iranian crises, including Russia's proposal to mediate a dialogue with Tehran. "I said, 'Do me a favour, mediate your own,'" Trump said he told Putin. "I said, 'Vladimir, let's mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later," Trump told reporters at the White House, according to several US media outlets. Tensions between Israel and Iran escalated on June 13 when Israel launched Operation "Rising Lion," targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes.

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